Religion and politics: The twain should never meet

18 Apr 201903:48am IST

18 Apr 201903:48am IST

Religion and politics do not go hand in hand. The Chief Election Officer held a meeting recently, strictly warning political parties not to influence voters in the name of religion or religious practices and festivals. This attempted cocktail of religion and politics can never taste good if the people of Goa, especially the young reject it

Political
parties, religious leaders and even ‘common” members of troll

armies have been guilty of using religion
to season their politics in election year. But thankfully, the young in Goa,
who will be voting in these elections, have rejected such attempts to vitiate
the poll atmosphere. Café spoke to a section of the young. Listen to these
voices:

Prefer humanity over
religion

According to me,
interference is from both ways. Though I do not like the way politics
influences people through religion, it is common today. Most of the time there
is interference from both sides. I believe all this is only done to manipulate
the public especially since the elections are nearing. Personally, for me I
would always prefer humanity over religion. I agree that religion is important
but it can create indifferences and hatred for other religions.

ADRIEL ALMEIDA,

Student of Mass Communication, Don Bosco
College

Practice of divide
and rule plays a big part in these cases

I feel that the age
old practice of divide and rule plays a major role in strategies of politics
when it comes to incidents like this. The whole purpose of religion is to make
people better humans and if that’s not what people take out of it then we don’t
need it. Hence in this case humanity should overpower religion.

ZAHUDA
KHAN

,
Content Writer

Sad that political
agendas are based on religion

It is very sad that Indian politics interferes with sensitive
issues like religion to the extent that it even bases its agenda on religion.

In a situation of religion versus politics, humanity always
suffers. So I feel people should adapt to the divine religion of humanity
instead of falling into unnecessary controversies.

TRUSHA PANVELKAR,

Entrepreneur

Politics often comes
in the way of religion

I feel that it is the tweets posted by politicians that give the
impression that religion plays an important role in politics. It does not! Both
of these are separate subjects and yet are interfering with each other.
Although religion is strong it can be easily used like a tool to manipulate
people. Politics comes in the way of religion through discrimination.

Some political parties only support one religion. India is a
secular nation and it is absolutely wrong to ignore other religions.

SALOMI PEREIRA,

Student Business Administration, Dempe College

Religious emotions of
people are being used for political gains

Even though India is a secular country, yet discrimination and
exploitation is done by politicians to gain votes. Religious emotions of people
are being used for political gains.